WARRINGTON Wolves fell to their third defeat in four games when they were beaten by play-off rivals Leigh Leopards on Saturday evening.
The Wire have now been hauled in on points by Leigh on the Super League table, although Sam Burgess' side remain fourth but with a four-point gap to the top three - leaders Leeds Rhinos (who play on Sunday afternoon), Wakefield Trinity and Wigan Warriors.
They were always second best in this encounter, going 10-0 behind inside 14 minutes and chasing the game from then on.
A Toff Sipley try after 34 minutes raised hope but when Innes Senior crossed with the last play of the half it meant the first score in the second period would be crucial.
While both sides were down to 12 men - with Josh Charney and Leon Hayes in the sin-bin - Joe Ofahengaue barged over with three defenders clinging on.
A further try from Umyla Hanley put Leigh out of reach and Albert Hopoate's try with nine minutes remaining was just a consolation.
Post-match reaction to Warrington Wolves clash with Leigh Leopards
>What Sam Burgess said after Warrington Wolves' defeat at Leigh Leopards
>Blog coverage, the Warrington Wolves clash with Leigh Leopards as it happened
How the game unfolded - key match facts
Super League, Round 20
Saturday, July 25, 2026
Leigh Leopards...28 Warrington Wolves...12
Leopards: David Armstrong; Innes Senior, Jack Hughes, Umyla Hanley, Josh Charnley; Adam Cook, Lachlan Lam; Joe Ofahengaue, Liam Horne, Isaac Liu, Frankie Halton, Owen Trout, Louis Brogan. Subs: Lazarus Vaalepu, Matt Davis, Ryan Brown, Edwin Ipape. 18th man: Ben McNamara
Wolves: Lachlan Webster; Albert Hopoate, Josh Smith, Toby King, Matty Ashton; Ewan Irwin, Leon Hayes; Luke Thomas, Danny Walker, Liam Byrne, Adam Holroyd, James Harrison, Ben Currie. Subs: Toff Sipley, James Bentley, Jordy Crowther, Joe Philbin. 18th man:
Scoring: Armstrong try, 7mins, 4-0; Lam try, 14mins, Cook goal, 10-0; Cook penalty, 28mins, 12-0; Sipley try, 34mins, Irwin goal, 12-6; Senior try, 40mins, 16-6; Ofahengaue try, 53mins, Cook goal, 22-6; Cook penalty, 54mins, 24-6; Hanley try, 61mins, 28-6; Hopoate try, 71mins, Irwin goal, 28-12.
Penalties: Leopards 11 Wolves 5
Sin bin: Charnley, 47mins (high tackle); Hayes, 52mins (spear tackle)
Referee: Marcus Griffiths
Attendance: 9,145
